Kumuls will be ready

PNGRFL  chairman Gary Jufa has confirmed that the PNG Kumuls will be ready for the Four Nations Cup and selection is already underway. 
He refuted statements made in The National yesterday and Wednesday’s Post-Courier claiming that PNG’s participation at the tournamentwas in jeopardy. 
Jufa has laid claim to the PNGRFL chairmanship after an AGM last year which unseated incumbent Albert Veratau, however, the matter is currently before the courts.
He also rejected statements by the chairman of the PNG Sports Foundation Graham Osborne suggesting that PNG would lose its place in the Four Nations Cup to the Cook Islands. 
“PNG has earned the right to play in the Four Nations Cup and as chairman of PNG Rugby League, I’m yet to receive any official notice from the international federation stating otherwise.”
He said PNGRFL was a member of the International Federation of Rugby League and the recent challenge in the leadership would not keep PNG from taking part in the Four Nations.
He said PNG would only be at risk of losing its place in the tournament if it failed to field a team.
“This will not happen because we are already in the advanced stages of finalising a nation-wide national selection programme for the  Kumuls,” Jufa said. 
In the past, only bemobile Cup and overseas-based players were considered for Kumuls selection. 
Jufa said this year, every registered player, whether from a small rural league or major league centre, would be given the same opportunity for selection and preparation would be months inadvance.
“PNGRFL is now committed to developing and promoting PNG-based players to the national side rather than depending on unknown players from Australia,” Jufa said.
He added only overseas-based players who were passionate and patriotic to this country would be given the honour to represent PNG. Jufa said the pathway for selection will begin with the PNGRFL regional and national championships.  The regional championships will be held in each of the four regions throughout the country. 
He said the championships would take place on the weekend of July 23-25 and respective leagues from each region were already in preparation to attend.  A side will then be selected from each region to compete at the national championship the following weekend (1st Aug ).
From the national championships a 25-man elite squad would be selected to form the PNG development squad. They will go into camp and undergo a five week high-performance training programme. 
While in camp they will also play four lead up matches before travelling to Lae to play against a bemobile Cup select side on Sept 5. 
The PNG PM’s 13 side will then be named to play against Australia in September. PNGRFL will then announce the final side for the PNG Kumuls that will go into a three week camp with the overseas based players to represent PNG in the Four Nations Cup in October.  The squad will spend two weeks in PNG before flying down to Sydney a week before the Four Nations to play a friendly match against an NRL Club.
“PNGRFL are now focused on the PM’s 13 and Four Nations and decided not to play against the Northern Pride side and the Fiji National Side due to the added cost and time restraints.
“ The Northern Pride are only a Cairns-based Club and the Fiji National side, we have beaten in all our matches.  We would rather use the time and resources in preparing our boys to play the world’s best, Australia,”  Jufa said.
PNGRFL deputy chairman Bryan Kramer is scheduled to travel to Brisbane next weekend to meet with Mal Meninga and members of the Queensland State of Origin coaching staff to finalise the high-performance programme.   On Jufa and Kramer’s last visit to Brisbane Mal Meninga had agreed to become a strategic advisor to PNGRFL and the PNG Kumuls, extending his full support wherever needed.  
On the issue of Adrian Lam warning to resign as Kumul coach, Jufa regreted Lam’s stand but respected his decision.  “In any event should he (Lam) resign, PNGRFL has a contingency to secure the services of an international coach as his replacement.
Jufa rejected earlier media claims that PNGRFL was in turmoil and that its administration is in disarray.  He said PNGRFL administration was intact and managing rugby league throughout the country with a focus of rebuilding the game from the ground up. 
“All four regional offices are carrying out their respective development programmes.  For the first time a strategic plan and financial budgets are in place that is underpinning a new vision and direction for the game.  Our regional officers have assisted with setting up eight new leagues through the country together with five schoolboy competitions.”